DuckDuckGo Introduces AI Image Filter and Scam Blocker to Enhance Privacy and Security

DuckDuckGo, the privacy-focused search engine, has introduced two significant features aimed at enhancing user safety and privacy: an AI image filter and a Scam Blocker tool. These additions come as a response to growing user concerns regarding AI-generated content and online scams.

The AI image filter allows users to control the appearance of AI-generated images in their search results. This feature was developed after receiving customer feedback highlighting the inconvenience and low quality of AI-generated images, often referred to as "AI slop." To use the filter, users must navigate to the “Images” tab in DuckDuckGo’s search engine, where a dropdown option labeled “AI Images” will be available. Users can then choose between “show” or “hide” depending on whether they want to see AI-generated content in their image search results.

To fully enable the feature, users need to set their search preferences to “Hide AI-Generated Images.” This activates a filter that significantly reduces the number of AI-generated visuals presented. DuckDuckGo mentions that the filter utilizes manually curated, open-source blocklists to identify and block AI content. These include resources like the "nuclear" list from uBlockOrigin and the Huge AI Blocklist from uBlacklist. While the tool does a strong job of filtering out AI imagery, it may not catch all such content. Nevertheless, it marks a step forward in addressing concerns related to misleading or overused AI-generated media online.

In addition to filtering AI content, DuckDuckGo has also launched a Scam Blocker tool, which acts as a defense against malicious websites. This tool protects users from visiting fraudulent e-commerce stores, fake currency exchange platforms, deceptive surveys, and scare tactics such as false “device infected” alerts. If a user clicks a suspicious link, the Scam Blocker will intercept the action and present a warning message. This notice will inform users that the website has been reported for malicious activity such as pushing fake products, attempting to steal money, or installing malware. Users are then given the option to safely close the window before any content is loaded.

What sets DuckDuckGo’s Scam Blocker apart from similar offerings is its independence from Google. Unlike other browsers that may track user activity or rely on third-party surveillance, DuckDuckGo’s solution does not monitor browsing behavior or send any data to external servers. The system operates entirely locally: it downloads updated lists of harmful websites every 20 minutes from security firm Netcraft and stores them on the user’s device. Real-time security checks are then conducted without compromising privacy.

As the internet faces increasing threats from scams, phishing, and AI manipulation, companies like DuckDuckGo are adapting their services to protect users without sacrificing their core commitment to privacy. These two new features offer users greater control over their browsing experience, setting an example for balancing innovation, safety, and privacy in the modern web environment.